Opening Boxes...

Thank you so very much for all the birthday wishes...It was a lovely day (which I will get to in a moment, because I know how much you've anticipated the lovely blue bag...and the sweet boxes)

A while ago, as I promised, during the trip to the Valley, that I would be buying myself a surprise...a special gift if you will. Well, as Dina and I had been planning this trip since...oh about December, I had quite a while to contemplate what exactly that special gift would be....





First, for a birthday gift for myself, I bought a sterling double heart necklace (it is a new design, and isn't on their website...I am so sorry this picture isn't clear!) There is a large heart, with Tiffany & Co delicately engraved on it...and in the front of it is a smaller heart...they hang individually on a 18" sterling Tiffany's chain...










...which looks lovely on me...as you can see! I excitedly carried the bag around for as long as I could possibly stand it, and then opened my little boxes as we sat down to lunch, so I could wear them for the rest of the day...You know, since I've been waiting so long to put it on.

I actually had wanted to buy the Return to Tiffany heart necklace, but totally fell in love with this one...









...and then, as a special reward for myself, I got the Return to Tiffany sterling bracelet...I think I will explain as well as I can, the meaning behind this gift.

About 2 years ago, I started a divorce from a man, my husband and once love, that I had been with for 12 years. I never wanted to do something like that (as I think most people don't when they meet and marry a person) Since starting that process, I have begun an incredible journey...one that I wanted to mark in a special way.

I thought tattoo for a while...a lovely meaningful armband...yet, I haven't been able to really decide on the perfect design...



So, I thought, how about a different investment? Something I could also look at every day, and be reminded of how far I've come...a heart, for the one that I have left in me,

that still beats,
and still loves,

no matter what I've been through in this part of the journey. I am so in love with this piece of jewelry (and have been wearing it to bed every night even...there's something lovely about the sound it makes as I turn over in my sleep) and I have always wanted something new from Tiffany's (I have a bracelet that is in my collection, but it was not new to me) To go into such a wonderful store, and be treated with such kindness...no matter what you buy, or how much money you are spending is truly a gift in itself. The gentleman who helped me, was gracious and patient, as I tried on so very many pieces...then he sweetly wrapped everything up....hand tying the bows...cutting the end of the ribbons...you feel like a princess by the time you walk out of there. Oh, the elegance...plus, although I have always wanted someone to buy me something (preferably with diamonds) it was a great feeling to do it for myself.

As we walked out of the store, I started to tear up a little bit, for the girl I was...and all that she's had to give up, and for the woman I am becoming...and all that is and all that's coming into my life.

And, I hate to do it, but I'm going to have to interrupt the Phoenix trip to write about the birthday celebration...

I started the day with many phone calls that continued throughout the day...and a friend brought flowers into the shop...and another brought in a Joann's gift certificate...

I ended the day with a little party that included my mom, Rozz. my grandmother, Dina and Niko, and My Pal Amy...my mother made these amazing black forest pupcakes...oh the sweetness was incredible...plus, next to carrot cake, this is my favoritest cake ever!

I donned my special dress (after I got home, as it was freezy today...yes, it was snowing at some point) I also bought this for myself for my birthday from Anthropologie...




I had a hard time between the one I bought, and this one...they were both amazing in their own separate ways, but the one I bought was the better of the two...

for now...
I have a watch on the black and white one

You know, for when it goes on sale?



And there were so many lovely thoughtful gifts...an entire pedicure kit complete with foot bath...a gift certificate for waxing at a local day spa (watch out Carol!) a set of quilted boxes to store my heirloom china from my grandmother (that is currently in the basement in a cardboard box...thank goodness she can't work a computer, as she would have a heart attack if she knew that!) an amazing box of vintage fabric and doll clothes from my father, and a ton of other stuff...A huge bag of goodies from mom, including another gift certificate to Joann's, an amazing book on altered hand bags, a Bunnykins bank, and the yummiest candle ever...and my grandmother gave me a beautiful sterling bracelet that looks like a tiny belt...is totally adjustable and compliments my new Tiffany bling quite well...




And, let's just say, there's a huge pile of lovely things that all have their place somewhere in the house...




You know, when I get around to putting it all away...

perhaps after I was the pile of dishes in the sink...




And now, off to resting and recovering from such amazing greatness that has been in my life...

Thank you all so very much...

(I will be back tomorrow with more about the trip...
can you tell I'm enjoying dragging this out?!)

And, if you want a little preview of Saturday night in the Valley...
feel free to visit Ms. Velvet Brick